Psalm 147

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 147

He Heals the Brokenhearted

1 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.Praise the Lord!

Psalm 147, NKJV

Psalm 147 is, again, another praise Psalm. As I did in Psalms 145 and 146, I will list the reasons the Psalmist gives to praise God. When we get to the end of the Psalms (Psalm 150), we will have a very impressive list.

The Lord:

Builds up Jerusalem
Gathers the outcasts of Israel
Heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds
Determines the number of the stars
Gives to all of them their names
Has abundant power
Has understanding beyond measure
Lifts up the humble
Casts the wicked to the ground
Covers the heavens with clouds
Prepares rain for the earth
Makes grass grow on the hills
Gives food to the beasts and to the young ravens
Does not delight in the strength of the horse or in the legs of a man
Takes pleasure in those who fear Him
Strengthens the bars of your gates
Blesses your children within you
Makes peace in your borders
Fills you with the finest of the wheat
Sends out His command to the earth - His word runs swiftly
Gives snow like wool
Scatters hoarfrost like ashes
Hurls down His crystals of ice like crumbs
Sends out His Word and melts them
Makes His wind blow and the waters flow
Declares His word to Jacob and His statutes and rules to Israel

Praise the Lord!

Keep in mind that when David, the Psalmist of Psalm 147 uses words like Jacob, Israel, or Jerusalem, he is speaking of the church of God, i.e. those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. In the New Testament, the Gentile church was born; many times they are referred to as the "Israel of God." As you ponder these incredible lists, understand that these are only for the true people of God. What an awesome God we have!

Pray that, as reminded in Psalm 147, you will live in the awareness of God's complete and protective care as a believer in Christ.

Next: Psalm 148 - Praise the Lord!

More Devotions on the 147th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions.

Praise Is Beautiful, verse 1

The Lord, verses 2-6

Sing unto the Lord, verses 7-9

He Delights, verses 10-11

Finest of Wheat, verses 12-14

Creation's Power, verses 15-18

Showed His Word, verses 19-20